BRICS: Thailand to Apply for Accession

The Thai government has approved the official letter expressing Thailand’s intention to become a member of the BRICS group of countries. The organization is rapidly recruiting new participants beyond the founding members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, which announced the creation of this international organization in June 2006, and the Republic of South Africa, which joined the association later, in 2011. As of January 1, 2024, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE officially joined BRICS, and a group of 15 countries may join the international organization in the short to medium term.

Thai government spokesman Chai Wacharonke told reporters in Bangkok that the Southeast Asian country “will soon make a formal application to join the intergovernmental organization.” According to Moscow sources, if Thailand submits an official request soon, the issue of its participation could be tentatively decided as early as at the XVI BRICS summit scheduled in Kazan, Russia, on October 22-24, 2024.

In the letter that will be sent to the next rotating Russian chairman in BRICS, Thailand stresses that it “recognizes and shares the importance of multilateralism and the growing role of developing countries in the international arena,” in line with the fundamental principles of BRICS. The letter also emphasizes that “membership in BRICS will bring huge benefits to Thailand in many areas, including strengthening the country’s role in the world and the country’s participation in defining a new multipolar world order.” Chai Wacharonke also recalled that BRICS “invited non-member countries seeking to join the organization to participate in the summit in Russia.” According to a Thai government representative, “participation in such an important event will provide an opportunity for Thailand to accelerate the accession process and enhance its role as a leading player among developing countries.” Thailand’s activity in the international arena is becoming increasingly energetic: the Asian country has announced that it intends to apply to join the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which brings together 38 of the world’s most developed economies.